VZCZCXYZ0020
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSN #0466 1071702
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161702Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9339
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 000466 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
INL/FO FOR DAS MCCAMPBELL; INL/LP FOR AMARTIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ES KCRM PREL
SUBJECT: DAS MCCAMPBELL LEADS U.S. DELEGATION TO IV ANNUAL 
TRANSNATIONAL GANG CONVENTION 
 
¶1. Summary:  INL Deputy Assistant Secretary Christy 
McCampbell led the U.S. delegation attending the 4th Annual 
International Anti-Gang Convention April 8-10, 2008 in 
Salinitas, El Salvador.  DAS McCampbell took advantage of 
this highly public forum to explain key elements of the 
proposed Merida Initiative that will impact Central America 
and to reinforce the U.S. commitment to multilateral and 
bilateral cooperation in combating transnational gang 
activity.  End summary. 
 
¶2. On April 8th DAS McCampbell attended the opening ceremony 
of the 4th Anti-Gang Convention. She joined Minister of 
Public Security and Justice Rene Figueroa and other 
distinguished guests at the head table and, in her remarks, 
emphasized U.S. government support for public security 
initiatives throughout the region.  Later in the day, DAS 
McCampbell again addressed the audience, this time offering a 
concise explanation of the purpose and potential impact of 
the Merida Initiative. 
 
¶3. On April 9th, DAS McCampbell traveled to San Salvador to 
attend several USAID-sponsored gang prevention events.  The 
first was a roundtable of Salvadoran government and private 
sector NGO officials involved in various anti-gang and 
violence reduction programs.  Each of the representatives 
shared their experiences and explained the basic objectives 
and challenges they face in their programs.  At the 
conclusion, DAS McCampbell congratulated the participants on 
the comprehensive scope of their efforts, and reinforced U.S. 
support for prevention programs throughout the region.  The 
subsequent event was a site visit to the Don Bosco Industrial 
Park, where a faith-based NGO conducts rehabilitation and 
reinsertion programs for youthful offenders and ex-gang 
members.  The Director, Father Jose Maria Moratalla Escudero, 
gave a tour of the facility and provided a fascinating 
overview of "lessons learned" in terms of rehabilitation of 
former gang members.  The final event of the day was a 
reception for the inauguration of "Alianza Joven Regional" 
(i.e. Regional Youth Alliance), a joint USAID/Central 
American Integration System (SICA) prevention program.  In a 
concluding press conference chaired by National Civilian 
Police (PNC) Director Francisco Rovira, DAS McCampbell 
congratulated the PNC and GOES for organizing four successful 
annual anti-gang conventions, and reiterated U.S. support for 
Salvadoran and regional prevention programs. 
 
¶4. On April 10, DAS McCampbell attended the closing ceremony 
of the Fourth Annual Anti-Gang Convention and participated in 
a joint press conference along with Vice-Minister Of Public 
Security Astor Escalante and PNC Director General Francisco 
Rovira.  DAS McCampbell, along with the GOES officials, 
summarized conference accomplishments and again highlighted 
their hopes for the pending Merida Initiative. 
 
¶5. Comment:  DAS McCampbell's participation in the anti-gang 
convention and USAID prevention events generated publicity 
for U.S. efforts to improve public security in the region, 
and at the same time reinforced U.S. commitment to democratic 
policing and governance in El Salvador.  Her presence also 
enabled the USG to personally engage high-level GOES law 
enforcement and security officials on the importance of 
bilateral and regional cooperation in the fight against 
transnational crime.  End comment. 
BUTLER